1. Russia Today Objectives: The reasons the Russian economy improved after 1991 How increased government controls have set back democratic reform in Russia Identify main ideas and details about current issues in Russia

2. Russia Recovers Few nations have experienced quick recovery like Russia Did experience an adolescent period – Depression and alcoholism – Violence, crime, and corruption Since 2000, Russia has changed at remarkable pace Russia has increased in self-confidence – Putin!! What is this cartoon saying? What is the building in the background?

3. VLADIMIR PUTIN Former KGB officer with strong feelings about state control LEGEND? Pro Reduced pol. corruption, crime, and terrorism Reforms to banking, private property, and labor helped Russian econ. Reduce poverty Emergence of middle-class families – DISPOSABLE INCOME Grew/strengthened military Became world’s leading producers of oil and gas 2014 Winter Olympics Con Uncertainty of pensions and wages Concerns about healthcare Migration due to unemployment, pollution, to find work Emmigration Censorship of the press Nationalized oil industry – SUPERPOWER Human rights record Ethnic and religious tensions 2014 Winter Olympics Anti-NATO Chechnya, Georgia Ukraine / Crimean Peninsula

4. This image is full of symbolism. Identify the various Tattoos on Putin’s body and identify what it represents. What message is the artist trying to convey? A

6. What are the various symbols in this image? What is the cartoonist conveying with his drawing? What is the bias? What is this cartoon saying about the Olympics? What is this propaganda poster’s original reference? Where was it employed first? What is the bias?

7. What do these two cartoons suggest about Vladimir Putin?

8. Russia Today Pro Group of 8 – Anti-terror initiatives/climate change/energy/econ development North Korean Six-Party Talks Supported independence movem’t – Abkhazia and South Ossetia Supplies EU energy Con Uses oil and gas as “carrot” in global politics Ukraine – Resurrecting Cold War? Trade partner with Iran/Syria Joint military practices with China